Supplying mining solutions to the emerging market

Pioneers in subsea mining equipment

For over 45 years

SMD has an unrivalled history in the provision of bespoke remotely controlled underwater excavation and intervention equipment.

Since 1971 we have supplied ploughs, trenchers and ROVs to the offshore telecommunications, oil & gas and renewables sectors. This extensive experience, coupled with improvements in technology have now enabled the provision of large remotely controlled underwater mining equipment for both deep-sea and inland water applications.

Underwater mineral exploration, sampling and extraction

Inland or offshore

Average stripping ratios on land are increasing and average ore grades are decreasing. At the same time populations and mineral demand per capita are growing. This has led to a mounting interest in alternative mineral sources.

By 2015, one third of world oil production was from offshore sources. The same trend is emerging for harder minerals. Offshore resources are plentiful with high ore grades. In many cases these resources are unburied.

The international seabed authority has put draft legislation in place for mining in international waters. In parallel, some governments have already put in place mining and environmental legislation for their exclusive economic areas.

For particular types of mineral deposits, the new technology can also be used inland below the water table with many advantages over conventional mining from both a technical and environmental perspective.